President Muhammadu Buhari praised the contributions of Nigerian youths to the outcome of the 2015 elections.

President Buhari, who was speaking on the occasion of the 2015 International Youth Day, commended Nigerian youths for the significant role they played in making the 2015 elections “a model for democratic governance in Africa.”

The President said that he was very concerned, however, that economic growth in Nigeria has not translated into “commensurate and improved social outcomes, especially for our 60 million young people who make up the majority of the population".

President Buhari noted that “although educational attainment by Nigerian youth has increased significantly in the last decade, the relevance of curricula, quality of education and skills required to meet the demands of the job market still remains a challenge for the country".

President Muhammadu Buhari said that the prosecution of persons who have stolen national resources will begin in a matter of weeks.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the National Peace Committee led by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in the Presidential Villa, President Buhari declared that his administration was irrevocably committed to doing all within its powers to break the vicious cycle of corruption, unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria.

"Nigeria has to break this vicious cycle before we can make progress," the President said, adding that his administration was diligently getting facts and figures pertaining to the nation's stolen funds, before proceeding to the prosecution of identified culprits.

President Buhari told General Abdulsalami and members of his committee that the Federal Government, under his leadership, will not only ask for the return of stolen funds that have been stashed in foreign banks, but will also ensure that those who stole the funds are put on trial in Nigeria.

President Muhammed Buhari called for an explanation from the Ministry of Finance on the foreign loans obtained for rail projects but diverted to other purposes.

Speaking at the end of a presentation on the Ministry of Transport by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Bashar at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari said that it was disappointing to find that foreign loans obtained in line with signed agreements were moved from one project to another.

“I hope that due process was followed before such diversions were carried out. Taking money from one project to another has to be done properly,” the President warned.

President Buhari was reacting to the specific instance of the diversion of a substantial part of the loan of USD1.005 billion from the Chinese Exim Bank, obtained for the construction of a standard gauge rail line linking Lagos to Kano but which was moved elsewhere.

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Niamey, Niger Republic, expressed confidence in ability of the Nigerian military to overcome and eradicate Boko Haram.

President Buhari talk tough on Boko Haram

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists after talks with President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger, President Buhari declared that the Nigerian Army which has earned a good reputation across the world, remains a virile fighting force.

"I am four days in office today and we have already started the process of ending the insurgency," the President said.

I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.

President Goodluck Jonathan has presented his handover notes to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. The presentation was done inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja shortly after President Jonathan conducted Buhari round the seat.Jonathan also presented an executive summary of his handover notes and a copy of the National Conference to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.

All is not set for the first Extoll Fashion Designers Expos being organized by Global B2B platform in Almere, The Netherlands. The event is a platform to showcase unique brands and exclusive collections from various designers across Africa and Europe.One of the principal organizers, Mercedes MondenOver 10,000 retailers will be at the fashion fair starting from 29th May to 31st May 2015.The venue is Veluwezoom 5, 1317AA, Almere, opposite Van der Valk Hotel.The event starts from 9am daily to 8pm.

For more details, you can visit their website at www.extolltradefair.comOr email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News filtering in from Nigeria have it that Kabiru, son of Gov. Aregbesola of Osun State was swooped on by men of the Nigerian Immigration Service at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos while trying to cart away with $177 million in suitcases to the Arab Emirates.

The Scramble for Africa began about 131 years ago. Thirteen countries in the euro zone and the United States took part and met in Berlin. Here the rules of the game - colonization were agreed on before tutelage and subjugation of the continent commenced. These were not without challenges because of resistance from territories and powers. Ultimately, they were conquered and the colonial powers firmly established control.

Repressive rule has only just begun. We do not need a soothsayer to restate the obvious under the existing circumstances. I have often heard Buhari's apologists say he is a turned democrat and this often makes me laugh preferably in Swahili because I remain firm and unshaken in my conviction that try as the leopard might it could never change its spots.

It would be recalled, however, that Buhari on December 31, 1983 overthrew a democratically elected civilian government. No sooner had he done that than the junta under him embarked on remorseless repression that gave many Nigerians agonizing sleepless nights. It was one vast empire characterized by reign of terror. Many Nigerians were thrown in stir on trumped up charges and in the process Nigeria's best brains were killed among whom were Prof. Ambrose Alli, the first executive Governor of the defunct Bendel State. Pa Adekunle Ajasin , Dr. Alex Ekwueme Sam Mbakwe and many others were unduly incarcerated for crimes they did not commit while his kinsmen of northern extraction save Dr. Dikko were briefly detained and left off the hook. These are verifiable facts and may Heaven bear me witness this day!

The promulgation of Decree Number 4 empowered him to gag the press and press freedom was withdrawn and the likes of Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor became victims. This took place about three decades ago and the wound inflicted on the minds of Nigerians is gradually being reopened by his recent pronouncements barring Nigeria's premier private television station, African Independent Television (AIT), a media organization characterized by enlightened personnel practices from covering his activities. This is blunder NO 1 - a clear depiction of a brainless doll who knows next to nothing about governance.

One question that agitates the mind of the writer is: What moral justification has Buhari got to ever rule Nigeria again when he ought to be standing trial for being liable to a number of offences? Is Buhari not guilty after the accessory of fact for murdering three young men of Nigerian extraction by retroactive laws at Bar Beach firing range? Bartholomew Owoh, Bernard Ogedengbe and Lawal Ojuolape trafficked in drugs which was a bailable offence as of the time the crime was committed but Buhari went ahead and promulgated Decree Number 20 had it backdated and executed the above-named. Ay, these three young men were executed. This is MURDER in capital letters and Buhari ought to have stood trial and faced the dire consequences of this irredeemable mortal sin!

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has made new appointments barely one month to his hand over of government to a new administration.

In a similar faction, he has relieved the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Femi Thomas of his appointment with immediate effect. In his place, the President has approved the appointment of Mr. Olufemi A. Akingbade as Acting Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the NHIS.Mr. Akingbade who hails from Ekiti State and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science as well as a Master’s in Business Administration was the General Manager, ICT in the NHIS until his new appointment which also takes immediate effectPresident Jonathan has also approved the confirmation of Mr. Mounir Haliru Gwarzo as Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission.Mr. Gwarzo who has been acting as Director-General of the Commission, was appointed to the Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission as Executive Commissioner in January, 2013.Also the list of new appointees by the President is the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. His appointment is with immediate effect.

Mr. Peter Obi: New Chairman of the Securities & Exchange CommissionCongratulations to all the new appointees, hoping they would help the new administration in their various capacities to advance Nigeria forward.

Dear Compatriots,As we prepare to go to the polls tomorrow, I have come before you this morning to express my immense appreciation for the opportunity you gave me to lead this great nation of ours in the past four years.I also wish to place on record, once again, my sincere gratitude for the support you have given my administration without which the significant progress we have made in recent years would not have been possible.

Musiliu Obanikoro, former minister of state for defence, has been sworn in as the minister of state for foreign affairs II by President Goodluck Jonathan. Obanikoro, who faced a torrid time at the senate during his screening and eventual clearance, was once Nigeria’s ambassador to Ghana.

Obanikoro confirmed as State minister for Defence

Jonathan sworn- in the eight new minsters on today, Wednesday and carried out a minor cabinet reshuffle. Alhassan Khaliru‎ is the new minister of health, replacing Christian Chukwu, a professor who resigned last year and unsuccessfully bid to be governor of Ebonyi state.Fidelis Nwankwo, an engineer from Ebonyi state, is now the new minister of state for health‎.Patricia Akwashiki ‎ (Nasarawa) is now minister of information while Nicholas Ada, a professor from Benue, is minister of state foreign affairs I‎.Augustine Akobundu, a retired colonel from Abia state, is minister of state for defense. ‎Others are: Hauwa’u Lawan Bappa, now minister of state (Niger Delta affairs); Kenneth Kobani, minister of state for industry, trade and investment; Joel Danlami Ikenya, minister of labour.In his remarks, Jonathan said: “For the ministers, this is an injury time. It is like bringing a player when you have just five minutes to go in a football match. So everyone wants to know what that player will do, the magic the player will perform within that short period. The player himself will be struggling to be at least kick the ball before the end of the game. “So you are coming in at a quite challenging period and I believe that a number of people will not envy you because government is coming to a close. But sometimes it is even good to come at this time because you are now well exposed to Nigerians.“Your dancing steps will be watched by everybody and ‎we believe you will dance well.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) through its campaign Director-General for General Buhari (rtd) and Governor of River State, Rotimi Amaechi is the person behind the signed and delivered petition making round in the Nigerian press as a purported indictment of the Nigeria’s First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan before the international criminal court in The Hague.

Continental European Media Summit was recently held in Hamburg Germany facilitated by Kenneth Gbandi of Heritage Media network Germany, the participants representing various fields of human endeavor particularly in the Nigeria media scene in the Diaspora endorsed the candidature of Goodluck Jonathan as a prefer candidate in the 2015 Presidential elections in Nigeria slated for 28th March 2015 because of its track records in the past five years in office.

The last time Nigerians enjoyed something really close to an exciting Presidential debate was during the 1993 Presidential elections. I recall the colourful and memorable encounter between the late Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party and Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention. At the end of that debate, it was clear who among the duo was better experienced, much more intellectually capable and more endearing to the electorate in terms of readiness for the job being applied for. That is what a debate, under these circumstances, is: it is a job interview.

There is the popular adage that’s says health is wealth and for that simple reason, Stichting Ramaya has put together a series of health education program for enlightening immigrant communities living in the Amsterdam area on their health conditions.According to the coordinator of the Project, Jerry Sulaiman, Africans form a greater part of the Immigrant group living in Amsterdam, it is estimated that there are more than 10,000 Africans living in the Netherlands and the majority of them resides in Amsterdam particularly Southeast area.

The enormous task of superintending over the electoral affairs of any country, particularly a country where the democratic culture is just beginning to take root and one where elections take on a life of their own, requires, forthrightness, dexterity, diplomacy and above all else, a mega dose of integrity. The electoral umpire must in addition to being imbued with high level of personal integrity also, and equally importantly, be perceived by the generality of the electorate and interested parties as being a person of integrity. The reality and perception of integrity must converge on the electoral umpire. Where such convergence is not found, there is the likelihood that whatsoever outcomes produced by such electoral umpire will be viewed with suspicion by some parties to the election and may eventually lead to unsavory events including violence.

Despite the cold weather in the Netherlands, many Nigerians turned out in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) under the Dutch police scrutiny to organize a peace, solidarity and support rally in support of the current Nigerian government under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in ensuring a peaceful, non-violent, free, fair and credible election come 28th March and 11th of April 2015.

The Belgian coastal city of Ostend is playing host on Saturday 28 February 2015 to an unprecedented Peace March for Nigeria. Marchers are expected from all nooks and corners of Belgium and the neighboring countries of The Netherlands, France, Germany and the United Kingdom to join forces with a coalition of more than 25 civil society organizations and 5 major political parties in Belgium to show solidarity to the 'good but victimized people of Nigeria' as described by Collins Nweke, founder and coordinator of the March.

Jean Vandecasteele, Mayor of Ostend will be on hand to deliver an inspirational welcome address at the commencement of the March at the steps of the City Hall.